Sprayer with turret nozzle assembly



Dec. 3, 1963 G. R. BELL. ETAL 3,112,885

SPRAYER wrm TURRET NozzLE ASSEMBLY Filed Dc. 4. 1961 2 sheets-sheet 1@7i/922 zazzs' @eoge R. eil,

Dec. 3, 1963 Filed. Deo 4. 1961 G. R. BEITI. la'rAl.l

SPRAYER WITH TURRET NOZZLE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheet's-Sheet 2 I kyk/612240215'Gear e j?. 5e/,

United States Patent O Wllill-i EUllEE NZZLE ASSEMBL George lilell,Mundelein, Edwin L. Uberto, Libertyville, and Robert l?. Fraser,Gray/sialic, lll., assignors to llnrgess Jibrocrafters lne., Grayslalie,lll., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. d, 1961, Ser. No. 156,666 dClaims. (tCl. 239-394) The present invention relates to a sprayer `foratomizing liquids having turret mounted interchangeable nozzles.

For a particular spraying job a specific spray pattern and a certaindegree of atomization usually is to be preferred. Almost universallyspray guns, c g. paint sprayers, are provided with Ian assortment ofnozzles and provision is made for interchanging the nozzles -to changethe spray dispersion pattern. ln some instances additional atomizingadjustments must be made in addition to physically replacing one nozzlewith another. The various manipulations required to change the spraydispersion pattern with conventional equipment can be time consuming andburdensome, particularly in those instances in which frequent changesare required. Furthermore, since the parts must be removed and replacedwith the alternate parts being set to one side there is always theopportunity for parts to be lost or misplaced.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a paintsprayer' with a turret assembly incorporating interchangeable nozzleswhich alternatively may be moved easily, quickly and accurately intoeffective position. Each nozzle has a predetermined spray patterndifferent from the others. One of the important features of ourinvention is the ease and speed with which a change may be accomplishedfrom one nozzle to another to obtain the desired change in thedispersion spray pattern. Since no parts must be removed or replacedthere is no opportunity for the user to lose or misplace the alternatenozzle parts that are not in use.

Gne of the requisites of an apparatus of the type of the presentinvention is that a iluid tight seal must be maintained between theliquid supply means, e.g. pump, and the particular nozzle that is beingused to achieve the desired spray pattern. This fluid tight seal rnusteX- ist so long as the selected nozzle is in use, yet at the same timethe means for achieving the fluid tight seal must not interfere with theability of the user to change from one nozzle to another. We havedevised a remarkably simple and effective apparatus which achieves therequired fluid tight seal between the supply means and the nozzle beingused. At the same time, as has already been mentioned, the user mayeasily and simply change from one nozzle to another. The seal preventsthe `liquid from leaking from the apparatus as well as its emission fromany of the nozzles other than the one selected for the desired spraypattern. Provision is made to insure accuracy of alignment between theselected nozzle and the conduit through which the liquid to be sprayedis delivered to that nozzle.

Particularly with those spray devices with which paints, etc., are to beused, the ability to clean the paint from the device following its useis an important factor to the user. lif the cleanup time is long andtedious with a particular device, that device is notlilzely to befavorably received by the user. The apparatus of our invention is suchthat ifor all practical purposes no yadditional cleanup time is requiredover that necessary with conventional devices utilizing removableinterchangeable nozzles. In the usual instance the apparatus of ourinvention may be cleaned merely by spraying a cleaning duidtherethrough. if paint should be allowed to solidify by reason ofimproper or incomplete cleaning. `The device Bdl Patented Dec. 3, i963ice may be readily disassembled to enable a more complete cleaning ofthe parts thereof. The apparatus is sufliciently simple so that thedisassembly is easy and its reassembly will be understood by even arelative novice. The services of a skilled mechanic are not requiredeither to perform the disassembly or the reassembly.

A further feature of our invention is that the apparatus is sutilcientlysimple so that it is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Takin-g intoconsideration the desirability of readily interchangeable nozzles,embodiments of our invention may be sold competitively with conventionalsprayers having nozzles that must be completely removed and replaced tochange.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich:

FIGURE l `is 4an elevational view of a sprayer embodying the turretnozzle assembly of the present invention;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are illustrative of different spray dispersion patternsthat may be achieved by using diiferent nozzles;

FIGURE 4 is a section through one of the nozzles;

FEGURE 5 is an exploded view of the turret assembly and its mounting onthe fluid supply apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section through the mounted turret assembly.

FIGURE 7 is a section as viewed at line '7 7 of FIG- URE d; and

FIGURE i8 is a view of the backside of the nozzle holder with thenozzles positioned therein.

FlGURE l illustrates a sprayer, generally lltl, having a sprayer body 11to which is removably secured a fluid container l2. Except for ourinvention, hereinafter described in detail, the structure and operationof sprayer lil is conventional. Suflice it to say that it is a sprayerof the type that incorporates an electric pump (not shown) whichwithdraws the fluid from container il@ and delivers it under pressure toan atomizing and spraying nozzle. It will be apparent to those skilledin the art however, that our invention can be used with other types ofsprayers different from that illustrated in FGURE l.

The duid from the sprayer pump is delivered to a luid discharge conduit14. The turret nozzle device, generally l5, of our invention is mountedon conduit 11d. To this end a turret body i6 is threaded onto conduiti4. Body lo is held against rotation with respect to conduit ltd by apair of set screws i7.

Body i6 is generally cylindrical with an outside surface .t8 which isapproximately cylindrical but actually is a `frustum of la cone having4its smaller diameter at outer face i9 of the body and its lar-gerdiameter at shoulder itl on the rearward side of the body. Body i6 isformed about a cylindrical (or conical as the case may be) axis Ztl. Asis best seen in FIGURE 6 the opening 22 in body 16 into which conduit 1dis threaded is offset from axis 2f. and parallel thereto.

A turret or nozzle holder 2tlis received on turret body lo. Turret 2.-@is generally cylindrical in configuration about axis 2l, but has aninner face 25 which has a slight taper to conform to the conguration ofthe outside surface 18 of body 16. Turret 24 has three openings, 26, 27and 28 in outer face 29 thereof. Openings 26-28 are offset from :axis 2la distance such that they can be (depending on their rotationalposition) aligned with opening :22 in body i6. The rearward skirt ofturret 24 has outer threads 3@ thereon.

Three nozzles, generally 32, 33 and 3d are received in openings Zt-ZSrespectively. Nozzle 32 is illustrated in FlGURE 4. lt has a hollownozzle body 35 with an internal opening 35a and `an opening 36 in theouter end thereof. Received in a groove about the outside of body is anO-ring gasket 37 which contacts the walls of turret 24 defining opening26 to frictionally hold 'the nozzle inthe body. At the rear end of body35 is an outwardly extending ilange 38 which contacts the inside of body24 to limit the extent to which the nozzle 32 may be pushed throughopening 26. At the rearward end of body 35 is an abutment 39 (FIGURE 6)slightly smaller in diameter than that of opening 22 and definingtherewithin an intake opening 35h for the nozzle.

Within the internal opening 35a in body 35, immediately adjacent opening36 is a fan disc 40. Fan disc 4t) has an axial opening 41 of a shape todefine the desired spray pattern, e.g. an elongated slot to deline thefan shape pattern illustrated in FIGURE 3. Immediately adjacent fan disc4t) is a jewel 42, e.g. sapphire, having an axial opening 43. `Opening43 is extremely small, in the neighborhood of 0.016 inch in diameter.When a round spray pattern as illust-rated in FIGURE 2 is desired, jewel42 is used alone without fan disc 40. Body 35 is staked about jewel 42to hold the jewel in place.

Immediately to the rear of jewel 42 is a spinner 45 which is generallyhexagonal in transverse cross-section so that it will be centered withinopening 35a and at the same time allow the iluid to tiow thereabout. Thetorward end of spinner 45 has an axial opening 46 and a pair of offsetend slots 47. Slots 47 cause a swirling movement of the tiuid as itenters opening 43 in jewel 42. A spring 48 has one end engaged aboutstud 49 of spinner 45 and the other end engaged in slot 50 of body 35.Spring 43 urges spinner 45 against jewel 42.

Nozzles 33 and 34 generally conform in construction to the specilicstructure just described with respect to nozzle 32. The diii'erences inthe nozzles are only that required to provide :different spray patternsand the appropriate atomization for each spray pattern.

Means are provided to align each of nozzles 32-34 with conduit 14. Thisvmeans is provided by a detent 53 which is received in an opening 54 inbody 16. A spring 55 between the base of opening 54 and detent 53 urgeslthe detent outwardly away from axis 21 of the body 16. The inner face25 of turret 24 has three notches 56 which define a shoulder 57 at oneend, with the notch being tapered at the other. When shoulder 57 is inabutment with detent 53 las illustrated in FIGURE 7 One of fthe nozzles32-34 will be in proper alignment with conduit 14. Turret 24 may berotated in one direction (illustrated by arrow 67) on body 16 since thetapered end of Ithe next nozzle is aligned with conduit 14 detent 53will drop into the next notch 56.

A nut has internal threads 61 to engage threads 30 on -turret 24. Nut 69has an inward shoulder 62 which abuts shoulder 20 of body 16. A handle63 projects from nut 60.

In use, body 16 is secured to conduit 14 by set screws 17. A gasket isfriotionally mounted in opening 22 at the end of conduit 14. When nozzle32 is positioned in alignment with conduit 14 and nut 60 tightened onturret 24, the turret 124 is drawn onto body 16. At the same time the`drawing of the turret ltowards `body 16 causes gasket 65 to becompressed between the end of conduit 14 and abutment 39 on nozzle 32.Thus a iuid tight seal is achieved about the passageway provided by theinternal opening 14a in conduit 14 and the internal opening 35a innozzle 32. Through this passageway the fluid from the electric pump ofthe sprayer' 10 travels to and is sprayed from nozzle 32. Nozzle 32produces a fan shaped spray pattern as generally illustrated in FIGURE3. A spray pattern of this shape is particularly suitable for paintinglarge flat surfaces such as walls, screens, floors, fences and :thelike.

If a different spray pattern is desired lock nut 63 is loosened, i.e.threads 61 and 30 are disengaged. The loosening of the nut allows aseparation of the nut and the turret 24 so that the turret can be movedaxially with respect to body 16 and rotated thereabout. Turret 24 thenis rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 67 (FIGURE 7) withrespect to body 16. When the nozzle having the desired spray pattern isaligned with conduit 14 an accurate alignment is assured by detent 53being in contact with abutment 57 of the appropriate notch 56. Nut 63again is tightened on turret 24 to draw the turret onto body 16 andcause the abutment (eg. abutment 39) of the selected nozzle rto enteropening 22 and contact gasket 65.

A second of the nozzles usually is formed to define a circular spraypattern as illustrated in FIGURE 2. A spray pattern of this shape issuitable for painting odd shaped objects, e.g. chairs, desks, outdoorfurniture, cabinets and the like. The third of the nozzles is sodesigned as to be a ogging nozzle, that is a nozzle to produce a maximumdispersion without a definite spray pattern. A nozzle of this lattertype is particularly suitable for spraying insecticides, mothproofers,garden sprays and [the like.

The foregoing description of a specic embodiment is for the purpose ofcomplying with 35 U.S.C. 112 and should not be construed as imposingunnecessary limitations upon the appended claims inasmuch asmodifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart or devised 4by them. -For example, turret body 16 could be anintegral part of sprayer body 11.

We claim:

1. In `a liquid sprayer the improvement comprising: a body having aliuid discharge conduit therein with a uid discharge opening in a lirstplane at the end of said conduit and a passageway from said plane to aface of said body; an annular resilient gasket mounted in saidpassageway at the end of said conduit and surrounding said opening; aturret mounted on said body for rotation about an axis spaced from saidopening and normal to said plane; said turret being movable with respectto said body parallel to said axis; a plurality of nozzles mounted onsaid turret at spaced intervals about said axis, each of said nozzleshaving an intake opening in a second plane parallel to the iirst planeand spaced from said axis a distance equal to the spacing between theconduit opening and the axis, whereby rotation of said turret about saidaxis alternatively will position the intake opening of a selected one ofthe nozzles in alignment with the conduit opening, each of said nozzleshaving an annular abutment about the intake opening, said `abutment;corresponding approximately in diameter to the diameter of the gasketwith the abutment of the one nozzle projecting into the passageway toalign the one nozzle and abut said gasket; and means interconnecting thebody and the turret to move the turret along said axis towards the bodyto bring said one nozzle into fluid tight sealing engagement with thegasket.

2. ln a liquid sprayer the improvement comprising: a body having aliquid discharge conduit therein with a uid discharge opening in a planeat the end ot said conduit and a passageway from said plane to a face ofsaid body; an annular resilient ygasket mounted in said passageway atthe end of said conduit and surrounding said opening; a turret mountedon said body for rotation about an axis spaced from said opening andnormal to said plane, said turret being movable with respect to saidbody parallel to said axis, said turret having a plurality of tubularopenings extending therethrough parallel to said axis and spacedthereabout, said openings being spaced from the axis a distance equal tothe spacing between the conduit opening and the axis; a plurality oftubular nozzles positioned in said turret openings respectively, eachnozzle having a tlange adjacent an end thereof and abutting the side ot'said turret and adjacent said body, said end being annular and smallerin external dimensions than said tlange, said end correspondingapproximately in diameter to the diameter of the gasket and deiining anintake opening for the nozzle, one of said nozzles being an effectivenozzle and being positioned with said end thereof in said passageway andin contact with said gasket; and means interconnecting the body and theturret to lmove the turret along said axis toward the body to bring saideffective nozzle into uid tight sealing engagement with the gasket.

3. In a sprayer having a iluid conduit projecting therefrom and at-urret nozzle assembly, the improvement cornprising: a turret bodydetaehably mounted upon said sprayer, said body having a tubular openingin which is received said conduit with the outer end of the conduitbeing spaced inwardly from the outer end of the opening; an annularresilient `gasket in said opening and abutting said conduit; a -nozzleholder encompassing said body and rotatable about an axis parallel toand spaced from the opening, said holder having notches in the innersurface thereof; a plurality of spray pattern nozzles mounted in saidholder `at spaced intervals about said axis and parallel thereto, saidnozzles being spaced from said axis the same distance the axis is spaced4from the opening, said nozzles having an end smaller in cross sectionthan said opening and adapted to enter the opening and to abut thegasket; 1a detent in said body normally biased outwardly thereof tocooperate with said notches to align each of said spray pattern nozzleswith said conduit to permit a flow of fluid therethrough; and means forholding said body and said holder in assembly with one of the nozzles inthe opening and abutting the gasket.

4. The improvement in a sprayer and nozzle assembly as set forth inclaim 3 in which said body is undercut at a rear portion thereof toprovide a shoulder thereon; said holder is threaded rearwardly thereof;and said means is a lock nut having a radially inwardly projectingshoulder for abutment with said shoulder of said body and said nut isthreaded forwardly thereof to receive said holder in threadedengagement.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,968,391 Hamilton July 31, 1934 2,132,333 Wendell et al. Oct. 4, 19382,794,690 Eichenauer Mar. 22, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 287,203 Germany Sept.l5, 1915 1,036,048 France Apr. 22, 1953 154,677 Australia June 7, 1954787,227 Great Britain Dec. l14, 1957

1. IN A LIQUID SPRAYER THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: A BODY HAVING A FLUIDDISCHARGE CONDUIT THEREIN WITH A FLUID DISCHARGE OPENING IN A FIRSTPLANE AT THE END OF SAID CONDUIT AND A PASSAGEWAY FROM SAID PLANE TO AFACE OF SAID BODY; AN ANNULAR RESILIENT GASKET MOUNTED IN SAIDPASSAGEWAY AT THE END OF SAID CONDUIT AND SURROUNDING SAID OPENING; ATURRET MOUNTED ON SAID BODY FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS SPACED FROM SAIDOPENING AND NORMAL TO SAID PLANE; SAID TURRET BEING MOVABLE WITH RESPECTTO SAID BODY PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS; A PLURALITY OF NOZZLES MOUNTED ONSAID TURRET AT SPACED INTERVALS ABOUT SAID AXIS, EACH OF SAID NOZZLESHAVING AN INTAKE OPENING IN A SECOND PLANE PARALLEL TO THE FIRST PLANEAND SPACED FROM SAID AXIS A DISTANCE EQUAL TO THE SPACING BETWEEN THECONDUIT OPENING AND THE AXIS, WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID TURRET ABOUT SAIDAXIS ALTERNATIVELY WILL POSITION THE INTAKE OPENING OF A SELECTED ONE OFTHE NOZZLES IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CONDUIT OPENING, EACH OF SAID NOZZLESHAVING AN ANNULAR ABUTMENT ABOUT THE INTAKE OPENING, SAID ABUTMENTCORRESPONDING APPROXIMATELY IN DIAMETER TO THE DIAMETER OF THE GASKETWITH THE ABUTMENT OF THE ONE NOZZLE PROJECTING INTO THE PASSAGEWAY TOALIGN THE ONE NOZZLE AND ABUT SAID GASKET; AND MEANS INTERCONNECTING THEBODY AND THE TURRET TO MOVE THE TURRET ALONG SAID AXIS TOWARDS THE BODYTO BRING SAID ONE NOZZLE INTO FLUID TIGHT SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THEGASKET.